Game Opportunities Become Reality Episode 61
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Game Opportunities Become Reality Episode 61
18. Monopoly (4)
The saying that time is more precious than money.
I never imagined that I, who had lived as an ordinary commoner on Earth, would come to feel that firsthand.
And I also realized anew that spending money can save precious time.
"Wow, look at the speed we're earning EXP. It's on a whole different level."
"The combat patterns are complex, but its magic resistance is low, so the hunting speed is far faster."
"The combat patterns are complex, but if the hunting speed is fast, isn't that the best? It means we can sharpen our combat sense while raising our levels."
"That's certainly true."
Monopolizing the highly efficient hunting ground I had chosen after much deliberation and continuing battle there, my EXP acquisition speed more than doubled compared to before, when I had to fight while watching my surroundings.
Moreover, since the hunting targets, the Chimeras, attacked wildly without adhering to any set patterns, my ability to respond to unexpected situations also felt like it was improving.
Thanks to that, we were able to level up once every day and a half in the monopolized hunting ground, and our previously stalled growth gained momentum.
By the time I made the fourth weekly rent payment, I was able to reach level 220.
'At this rate, couldn't I reach level 250 (8th-stage Opportunity Quest) much faster than expected?'
Originally, I predicted it would take at least half a year, but at this pace, even accounting for the EXP curve, I think I can reach level 250 in two to three months.
Of course, that's assuming I can keep fighting without any interruptions, whether in the game or in reality.
"Your Excellency!"
The problem was that I had too many things to attend to to just hole up in my room like a shut-in and focus solely on the game.
"Your Excellency! From the Holy Land, faster than expected—"
Just when I thought I could keep leveling up without disturbance for a few days, an unexpected situation arose after nearly a month had passed.
* * *
- Age of Magic, October 7, 2019
"I've heard that the Saintess and Holy Son Selection Contest has been moved up ahead of schedule."
"Yes, originally I heard it was scheduled for the second half of next year, but they say they'll quickly scout candidates and finalize them within this month."
The Saintess Selection Contest had suddenly been moved up.
This was unexpected news for me, as I had been conducting training to make Ibril Barnet, a girl I had newly recruited last week, into a Saintess.
The Intelligence Chief, Pesius, who had also been aware of the Saintess training matter, looked taken aback.
But I didn't think this situation was entirely bad.
Since the contest was being rushed, the number of rival candidates would inevitably decrease.
What I needed to do here wasn't to worry, but to devise a surefire strategy to elevate Ibril in the contest.
"Do you have something in mind?"
"First, we need to make Ibril the Saintess candidate representing the Kingdom of Rhinehearts."
My plan was very simple.
A method that required no deliberation.
"Two weeks ago, I sent a donation to the Grand Diocese of the Kingdom of Rhinehearts. In Ibril's name."
If we had made the donation even a little later, it would have been an obvious move and wouldn't have had much effect.
But our donation came before the news of the Saintess Selection Contest was made public, and that produced a tremendous effect.
"Tomorrow, the Archbishop of the Kingdom of Rhinehearts will visit our territory. And the ones receiving him will be me and Lady Ibril."
"Ah, so your plan is to bring in the Kingdom's Archbishop first."
With a large donation, I established ties with church officials and put in great effort to connect with the Archbishop.
Surely someone of the Archbishop's stature would recognize Ibril's potential.
If the Archbishop recognizes the qualities of a Saintess in Ibril, that would be the best case; if not, I plan to bring him in through political means.
"Furthermore, if we succeed in bringing in the Archbishop, I intend to request backing from the royal family."
"Indeed... You have a plan for everything."
First, I plan to ask the Second Prince to support Ibril.
Though we've had a falling out, publicly speaking, I was still part of the Second Prince's faction.
The Second Prince would see this as an opportunity to expand his power even further, so I believe he won't refuse.
And if I subtly hint to the Crown Prince as well, I believe it won't be difficult for Ibril to become the candidate for Saintess representing our Kingdom of Rhinehearts.
However, Pesius nodded at my plan but showed a reaction tinged with concern.
"But, will that girl move according to plan?"
His worry was only natural.
After all, Ibril is still a girl who is only fifteen years old by full age, and she's only been studying theology for a month.
Moreover, her theology studies are something I made her do; she has no will of her own to become a Saintess.
It's an unavoidable matter.
After all, telling her, a convenience store part-timer, that she has the qualities of a Saintess wouldn't really strike a chord with her.
She's doing her best to follow orders, but whether she shows enthusiasm is a separate matter.
But I shrugged, saying I wasn't too worried.
"It'll be fine because there's someone giving her steady motivation from the side."
"Someone giving motivation?"
"I'm thinking of attaching Eric to Ibril as her aide. Well, they're already practically in an aide relationship."
Eric Jones, talented in politics and administration.
He has one trait, and that is 'eloquence.'
A trait can be considered a kind of passive skill.
Thanks to that, his words evoke a strange sense of trust in the listener.
"Ah, that sly one..."
Eric shows absolute loyalty to me, but it seems the perception around him is that he's a sly one.
Well, considering his political traits, isn't that an accurate assessment?
"Ibril relies on him heavily and follows his lead. Eric will play the role of helmsman well."
"If my lord says so, then so it must be."
Then Pesius brought up a holographic window and shared it with me.
"This is the data you requested, my lord."
"Oh, you've looked into it well."
The contest isn't something Ibril goes through alone.
So I had asked Pesius to look into those who would become her rivals, and he prepared the data according to my request.
"Among the candidates participating in the Saintess contest, these three are the ones with promise."
The first woman had a beauty that dazzled the eyes.
That was only natural, as she belonged to a group whose beauty was second to none.
"A High Elf affiliated with the Elysian Coalition?"
"Yes, she's the one strongly backed by the Elvenheim Kingdom, the mainstay of the Elysian Coalition. I hear she's a direct descendant of the current queen."
[Grace Hielven / 210 years old / Granddaughter of the Elvenheim Queen / Grand-tier Spirit Summoner (7th Circle class)]
Too tough an opponent from the start.
A High Elf directly descended from the Elvenheim Queen, backed by the Elysian Coalition, no less.
Considering the matriarchal nature of elves, she surely holds a place in the line of succession for the queen as well.
I clicked my tongue briefly and scrolled down the holographic window.
"The second candidate is Evelyn Francis of the Francis Ducal House, backed by the Bringham Empire."
"Wait, the Francis Ducal House?"
"Yes, that's correct."
[Evelyn Francis / 21 years old / Third daughter of Duke Francis of the Bringham Empire / Aura Expert-class High Knight]
Yet another heavyweight appears.
I furrowed my brow at the name of the Francis Ducal House.
That was inevitable, as the current Duke Francis was a 'Grand Master,' the equivalent of an 8th Circle Grand Mage.
Setting aside the background, unless she were an imperial princess, whoever her parents were, she'd still fall short compared to the direct line of the Elf Queen.
But if the Bringham Empire backs her at the national level, the story changes.
Feeling a throbbing at my temples, I examined the final tough opponent.
"The third candidate is a commoner woman from the Holy Land Everhill."
At least the third candidate seemed a bit more manageable, I thought...
[Judy Esther / 19 years old / Commoner from Everhill / Lay priest]
-Sponsor: Duke Olivia Riverdale of the Kingdom of
Out of nowhere, the names of my official sponsor, the 'Riverdale Ducal House,' and my residence, 'Olivia,' popped up.
Thanks to that, I let out a hollow laugh.
"They're certainly formidable."
"It's a bit excessive. I'd say this might be the most intense one in recent memory."
The first candidate, 'Grace Hielven,' is a Grand-tier Spirit Summoner equivalent to a 7th Circle Mage.
The second candidate, 'Evelyn Francis,' is a High Knight of Aura Expert class.
The third candidate, 'Judy Esther,' has already entered the church and is active as a priest.
Even setting aside their backgrounds, they are each and every one more accomplished than Ibril.
The moment I saw the candidate list, I wanted to cry out "surrender," but I held it in and gathered my thoughts.
"Well, I did think rivals like this might appear anyway, so there's no need to panic too much."
"Is there any hope?"
"It won't be easy, but it's not impossible."
"You truly intend to take this seriously, my lord."
"I can't give up the title of the sponsor who created a Saintess."
What I believe in is Ibril's potential.
I know they're all outstanding, but whether they possess talents and traits as specialized in Divine power as Ibril does remains to be seen.
After all, there's no one else like me who can see through to the essence of a person.
"By the way, my lord, may I ask you one thing?"
"What is it?"
Just as I was about to rise from my seat, figuring the business was done, Pesius threw out a question.
"How much did you donate to the temple? From what I know, they say the Archbishop of our Kingdom of Rhinehearts isn't the sort to be moved by money."
Even the most steadfast person, if given an amount beyond common sense, would naturally feel compelled to express gratitude.
There's no one who can't be moved by money.
It's just that the amount wasn't enough.
I grinned and held up one finger.
"One big one."
As a way of saying if he's curious he should find out for himself, I didn't disclose the exact cost.
The value of one big one differs from person to person.
I wonder just how far apart my idea of the amount is from Pesius's.
* * *
-Riverdale Mage Tower, Kingdom of
"Oh?"
The foremost Mage Tower of the Kingdom of is not the Royal Magic Tower, but the Riverdale Mage Tower, which houses three Grand Mages.
Officially, it is a tower established by Duke Kane Riverdale, who raised seven disciples—including Adrian—to the rank of Grand Mage, and it possesses the capacity to produce every kind of artifact, from flying cars to Vanguard armaments to sky fortresses.
The market capitalization of that Riverdale Mage Tower ranks first in the entire Kingdom of and is counted among the top ten in the world.
Thanks to that, Duke Olivia Riverdale, who can be called the current head of the Riverdale Ducal House, is said to wield power rivaling the royal family, and she spends her days incredibly busy.
Today, too, she reported to the Mage Tower alongside Marquis Lake and Count Preston—Grand Mages who could be called her personal guard—and when Marquis Lake, who was reviewing reports, reacted with a flustered tone, Olivia, who had been in the middle of paperwork, also showed interest, asking what was going on.
"It seems our dear little priest intends to dip a toe into the Saintess competition."
"What do you mean by that?"
Marquis Lake said it would be better to see for herself and handed Olivia a single report sheet.
It was a document submitted by the Mage Tower's intelligence team, which Marquis Lake was in charge of.
[New Saintess Candidate of the Sepia Church]
-Name: Ibril Barnet
-Age: 15
-Status: Commoner
-Affiliation: Genius Hall of Marquis Lawrence's House, Kingdom of Rhinehearts
-Description
Two weeks ago, donated a massive sum of 10 trillion Lute to the Sepia Grand Diocese of the Kingdom of Rhinehearts, thereby forming a connection with the Archbishop.
The Archbishop of the Kingdom of Rhinehearts has stated his support, saying Ibril Barnet possesses the qualities of a Saintess.
His reaction seems to be genuine conviction rather than mere lip service in response to the hefty donation, so further investigation appears necessary.
Ibril Barnet's sponsor is 'Marquis Adrian Lawrence,' and the massive donation of 10 trillion was also paid by him.
After reading the contents, Olivia curled the corner of her mouth into a smirk.
"What an amusing priest."